The oxidation of methionine (Met) into methionine sulfoxide (met-(o)) leads to deleterious modifications to a variety of cellular constituents. These deleterious alterations can be reversed by enzymes known as methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msr). The Msr (MsrA and MsrB) family of enzymes have been studied extensively for their biological roles in reducing oxidized Met residues back into functional Met. A wide range of studies have focused on Msr both in vivo and in vitro using a variety of... Show moreThe oxidation of methionine (Met) into methionine sulfoxide (met-(o)) leads to deleterious modifications to a variety of cellular constituents. These deleterious alterations can be reversed by enzymes known as methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msr). The Msr (MsrA and MsrB) family of enzymes have been studied extensively for their biological roles in reducing oxidized Met residues back into functional Met. A wide range of studies have focused on Msr both in vivo and in vitro using a variety of model organisms. More specifically, studies have noted numerous processes affected by the overexpression, under expression, and silencing of MsrA and MsrB. Collectively, the results of these studies have shown that Msr is involved in lifespan and the management of oxidative stress. More recent evidence is emerging that supports existing biological functions of Msr and theorizes the involvement of Msr in numerous biological pathways. Show less

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are one of the complex, pervasive, and multifactorial neurodevelopmental conditions which affect one in 68 children. Scientific research has proven the efficiency of using technologies to improve communication and social skills of autistic children. The use of technological devices, such as mobile applications and multimedia, increase the interest of autistic children to learn while playing games. This thesis presents the re-engineering, extension, and... Show moreAutism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are one of the complex, pervasive, and multifactorial neurodevelopmental conditions which affect one in 68 children. Scientific research has proven the efficiency of using technologies to improve communication and social skills of autistic children. The use of technological devices, such as mobile applications and multimedia, increase the interest of autistic children to learn while playing games. This thesis presents the re-engineering, extension, and evolution of an existing prototype Windows-based mobile application called Ying to become an Android mobile application which is augmented with facial and emotion recognition. This mobile app complements different approaches of traditional therapy, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Ying integrates different computer-assisted technologies, including speech recognition, audio and visual interaction, and mobile applications to enhance autistic children’s social behavior and verbal communication skills. An evaluation of the efficacy of using Ying has been conducted and its results are presented in the thesis. Show less

Scrum is one of the Agile software development processes broadly adopted in industry. Scrum promotes frequent customer involvements and incremental short release. Sprint planning is a critical step in Scrum that sets up next release goals and lays out plans to achieve those goals. This thesis presents a Sprint Planning dEcision Support System (SPESS) which is a tool to assist the managers for Sprint planning. Among considering other Sprint planning factors, SPESS takes into consideration... Show moreScrum is one of the Agile software development processes broadly adopted in industry. Scrum promotes frequent customer involvements and incremental short release. Sprint planning is a critical step in Scrum that sets up next release goals and lays out plans to achieve those goals. This thesis presents a Sprint Planning dEcision Support System (SPESS) which is a tool to assist the managers for Sprint planning. Among considering other Sprint planning factors, SPESS takes into consideration developer competency, developer seniority and task dependency. The results are that the assignments of the tasks of each Sprint to developers guarantee that each team member contributes to their fullest potential, and project planning is optimized for the shortest possible time. Keywords—Scrum, Sprint planning, planning poker, competence, task dependence, Hungarian algorithm, Essence. Show less

Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) have the potential to enable various kinds of applications aiming at improving road safety and transportation efficiency. These applications require uni-cast routing, which remains a significant challenge due to VANETs characteristics. Given VANET dynamic topology, geographic routing protocols are considered the most suitable for such network due to their scalability and low overhead. However, the optimal selection of next-hop nodes in geographic routing is... Show moreVehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) have the potential to enable various kinds of applications aiming at improving road safety and transportation efficiency. These applications require uni-cast routing, which remains a significant challenge due to VANETs characteristics. Given VANET dynamic topology, geographic routing protocols are considered the most suitable for such network due to their scalability and low overhead. However, the optimal selection of next-hop nodes in geographic routing is a challenging problem where the routing performance is highly affected by the variable link quality and bandwidth availability. In this dissertation, a number of enhancements to improve geographic routing reliability in VANETs are proposed. To minimize packet losses, the direction and link quality of next-hop nodes using the Expected Transmission Count (ETX) are considered to select links with low loss ratios. To consider the available bandwidth, a cross-layer enchantment of geographic routing, which can select more reliable links and quickly react to varying nodes load and channel conditions, is proposed. We present a novel model of the dynamic behavior of a wireless link. It considers the loss ratio on a link, in addition to transmission and queuing delays, and it takes into account the physical interference e ect on the link. Then, a novel geographic routing protocol based on fuzzy logic systems, which help in coordinating di erent contradicting metrics, is proposed. Multiple metrics related to vehicles' position, direction, link quality and achievable throughput are combined using fuzzy rules in order to select the more reliable next-hop nodes for packet forwarding. Finally, we propose a novel link utility aware geographic routing protocol, which extends the local view of the network topology using two-hop neighbor information. We present our model of link utility, which measures the usefulness of a two-hop neighbor link by considering its minimum residual bandwidth and packet loss rate. The proposed protocol can react appropriately to increased network tra c and to frequent topology dis-connectivity in VANETs. To evaluate the performance of the proposed protocols, extensive simulation experiments are performed using network and urban mobility simulation tools. Results confirm the advantages of the proposed schemes in increased traffic loads and network density. Show less

Student Perception of Online Instructors at a Florida Public University.

Creator

Ballard, William Willett, Shockley, Robert, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology

Abstract/Description

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in online student perception of the quality of instruction between online instructors who did and did not complete faculty training for online instruction. There has been very little research identifying the factors influencing online students perception on quality of instruction, specifically at Florida public institutions. This research is important in establishing if public universities should require some level of training before an... Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine differences in online student perception of the quality of instruction between online instructors who did and did not complete faculty training for online instruction. There has been very little research identifying the factors influencing online students perception on quality of instruction, specifically at Florida public institutions. This research is important in establishing if public universities should require some level of training before an instructor can teach online. Experiencing poor quality of instruction can negatively impact an online student academically, which can, in turn, be detrimental to a university’s student retention and graduation rates. This study adds to the current body of research regarding improvement of the quality of instruction in online courses based on the online students perception of faculty and the completion of faculty training for online instruction. The results of this study demonstrated no significant difference overall in student perception of quality of instruction between online instructors who did and did not complete faculty training as measured in courses with five or more student respondents. Additional results revealed that multiple academic colleges demonstrated a significant difference in student perception of quality of instruction. This study also discovered a slight negative effect of online faculty training on other areas of student satisfaction that did not include quality of instruction. Recommendations for future research are provided, including those for the improvement of online faculty training, university policy, and faculty and student preparation for online teaching and learning, respectively. Show less

Scour is the process of sediment erosion around bridge piers and abutments due to natural and man-made hydraulic activities. Excessive scour is a critical problem that is typically handled by enforcing design requirements that make the submerged structures more resilient. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the feasibilities of the Optical- Based Green Laser Scanner and HydroLite Sonar in a laboratory setting to capture the 3D profile of simulated local scour holes. The Green Laser... Show moreScour is the process of sediment erosion around bridge piers and abutments due to natural and man-made hydraulic activities. Excessive scour is a critical problem that is typically handled by enforcing design requirements that make the submerged structures more resilient. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the feasibilities of the Optical- Based Green Laser Scanner and HydroLite Sonar in a laboratory setting to capture the 3D profile of simulated local scour holes. The Green Laser had successfully reconstructed a 3D point-cloud imaging of scour profiles under both dry and clear water conditions. The derived scour topography after applying water refraction correction was compared with the simulated scour hole, and was within 1% of the design dimensions. The elevations at the top and bottom surfaces of the 6.5-inch scour hole were -46.6 and -53.11 inches from the reference line at the origin (0,0,0) of the laser scanner. The HydroLite Sonar recorded hydrographical survey points of the scour’s interior surface. The survey points were then processed using MATLAB to obtain a 3D mesh triangulation. Show less

Estimating the sex of unknown human skeletal remains is important to the fields of forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, and other specialties. I studied sexual dimorphism on the first and second ribs to estimate sex from skeletal remains. I employed two approaches. I used geometric morphometrics to analyze landmark and semilandmark coordinate points to examine the overall shape of the ribs. I also examined the sternal end of the ribs for size using the superior-inferior height (SIH) and... Show moreEstimating the sex of unknown human skeletal remains is important to the fields of forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, and other specialties. I studied sexual dimorphism on the first and second ribs to estimate sex from skeletal remains. I employed two approaches. I used geometric morphometrics to analyze landmark and semilandmark coordinate points to examine the overall shape of the ribs. I also examined the sternal end of the ribs for size using the superior-inferior height (SIH) and anteriorposterior breadth (APB) in a binary logistic regression (BLR) model. Differences in male and female first and second ribs are undetectable when landmark coordinate points are used to capture shape variability, but significant differences in the shape of the ribs, however, are detected through the use of semilandmark coordinate points. Using semilandmark points to estimate sex presented an accuracy rate of 80.7% from the first rib, and 72.9% from the second rib. The use of the sternal end presents consistent results in its ability to estimate sex with an accuracy rate of 84.2%. The BLR model reveals significant differences between males and females than the geometric morphometric approach; it is more applicable for discerning sexual dimorphism of unknown individuals. This study reveals that while geometric morphometrics provides a powerful approach to assessing morphological differences, it is not always better than simpler methods, in this case, simple measurements analyzed through BLR. Show less

In this research, image segmentation and visual odometry estimations in real time are addressed, and two main contributions were made to this field. First, a new image segmentation and classification algorithm named DilatedU-NET is introduced. This deep learning based algorithm is able to process seven frames per-second and achieves over 84% accuracy using the Cityscapes dataset. Secondly, a new method to estimate visual odometry is introduced. Using the KITTI benchmark dataset as a baseline,... Show moreIn this research, image segmentation and visual odometry estimations in real time are addressed, and two main contributions were made to this field. First, a new image segmentation and classification algorithm named DilatedU-NET is introduced. This deep learning based algorithm is able to process seven frames per-second and achieves over 84% accuracy using the Cityscapes dataset. Secondly, a new method to estimate visual odometry is introduced. Using the KITTI benchmark dataset as a baseline, the visual odometry error was more significant than could be accurately measured. However, the robust framerate speed made up for this, able to process 15 frames per second. Show less

The present research investigates entitlement in the workplace through three related papers—a review and two empirical studies. In the first paper, I conduct a review of entitlement and offer an agenda for future research. I examine entitlement’s various historical roots, definitions and conceptualizations, measures, theoretical frameworks, antecedents, consequences, and role as a moderator. I also outline avenues for future entitlement research and advocate for research that considers the... Show moreThe present research investigates entitlement in the workplace through three related papers—a review and two empirical studies. In the first paper, I conduct a review of entitlement and offer an agenda for future research. I examine entitlement’s various historical roots, definitions and conceptualizations, measures, theoretical frameworks, antecedents, consequences, and role as a moderator. I also outline avenues for future entitlement research and advocate for research that considers the effects of perceived coworker entitlement from a state perspective. Following the research agenda of paper one, I empirically delve into the negative effects of perceived coworker entitlement in the second two papers. Specifically, in the second paper I explore how the individual can mitigate the negative effects associated with perceived coworker entitlement and in the third paper I explore how the organization can mitigate the negative effects associated with perceived coworker entitlement. In the second paper, I utilize equity theory and referent cognitions theory to examine the relationships between perceived coworker entitlement and individual outcomes including in-role behavior, organizational citizenship behavior, pay satisfaction, and counterproductive work behavior via psychological distress. I further explore the moderating role of individual difference variables including core-self evaluations, positive and negative affect, and equity sensitivity in the relationship between perceived coworker entitlement and psychological distress. Using a sample of 200 working adults, I found that core self-evaluations and equity sensitivity significantly moderate the relationship between perceived coworker entitlement and psychological distress. However, I did not find any significant mediation or moderated mediation relationships. In the third paper, I utilize fairness theory as a theoretical framework to study the relationships among perceived coworker entitlement, job satisfaction, organizational citizenship behavior, and emotional exhaustion. I further explore the moderating role of Colquitt’s (2001) four dimensions of organizational justice: distributive justice, procedural justice, interpersonal justice, and informational justice. Using the same sample of 200 working adults, I found that perceived coworker entitlement is negatively related to organizational citizenship behavior; distributive justice moderates the relationship between perceived coworker entitlement and emotional exhaustion; interpersonal justice moderates the relationship between perceived coworker entitlement and job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion; and informational justice moderates the relationship between perceived coworker entitlement and emotional exhaustion. Contributions to research, practical implications, strengths and limitations, and directions for future research are discussed. Show less

I explore the impact financial statement transparency has on the probability of restatement and the effect a restatement announcement has on the levels of future financial statement transparency. Information theory suggests that a strong information environment increases accounting quality. Using financial statement transparency as a proxy for the information environment, I find that transparency is associated with a lower probability of financial statement restatement. There are competing... Show moreI explore the impact financial statement transparency has on the probability of restatement and the effect a restatement announcement has on the levels of future financial statement transparency. Information theory suggests that a strong information environment increases accounting quality. Using financial statement transparency as a proxy for the information environment, I find that transparency is associated with a lower probability of financial statement restatement. There are competing theories to predict how restatement announcements affect future levels of transparency. Skinner’s (1953) theory of operant conditioning, which states that behavior is modified based on positive or negative conditioning suggests that the level of transparency increases after a restatement announcement. However, expectancy theory suggests that firms engage in certain behaviors in order to derive expected rewards or incentives. Motivation is eliminated if the rewards are deemed unobtainable thereby eliminating managers’ incentive to improve their reporting strategy suggesting that the level of transparency decreases after a restatement announcement. I find that restatement announcement has a negative association with the transparency measure and the magnitude of this effect decreases over time compared to non-restatement firms. These results are magnified if the restatement is due to fraud. However, the changes are not significant. Further, the transparency associations are mitigated if there is a change in CEO after the restatement announcement. In addition, using a sample of firms that made a restatement announcement matched with a sample of firms that did not make a restatement announcement, the difference in the transparency measure before and after the restatement announcement is statistically insignificant. Show less

Burdick, John B., Marques, Oge, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Abstract/Description

Melanoma, a severe and life-threatening skin cancer, is commonly misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed. Advances in artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, have enabled the design and implementation of intelligent solutions to skin lesion detection and classification from visible light images, which are capable of performing early and accurate diagnosis of melanoma and other types of skin diseases. This work presents solutions to the problems of skin lesion segmentation and... Show moreMelanoma, a severe and life-threatening skin cancer, is commonly misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed. Advances in artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, have enabled the design and implementation of intelligent solutions to skin lesion detection and classification from visible light images, which are capable of performing early and accurate diagnosis of melanoma and other types of skin diseases. This work presents solutions to the problems of skin lesion segmentation and classification. The proposed classification approach leverages convolutional neural networks and transfer learning. Additionally, the impact of segmentation (i.e., isolating the lesion from the rest of the image) on the performance of the classifier is investigated, leading to the conclusion that there is an optimal region between “dermatologist segmented” and “not segmented” that produces best results, suggesting that the context around a lesion is helpful as the model is trained and built. Generative adversarial networks, in the context of extending limited datasets by creating synthetic samples of skin lesions, are also explored. The robustness and security of skin lesion classifiers using convolutional neural networks are examined and stress-tested by implementing adversarial examples. Show less

This mixed-method study, grounded in critical pedagogy, explored teachers of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) in Costa Rican public and private schools and examined the growth of the IB there. It surveyed the global mindedness of the teachers to understand their perceptions of the IB. The study also aimed to understand the IB’s Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) as a form of global education. Furthermore, neoliberalism was explored as a force driving the IB’s growth... Show moreThis mixed-method study, grounded in critical pedagogy, explored teachers of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) in Costa Rican public and private schools and examined the growth of the IB there. It surveyed the global mindedness of the teachers to understand their perceptions of the IB. The study also aimed to understand the IB’s Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) as a form of global education. Furthermore, neoliberalism was explored as a force driving the IB’s growth in Costa Rica. The study collected quantitative data from the Global Mindedness Scale (GMS) (Hett, 1993) from teachers of the IB in Costa Rica, assessing their level of global mindedness, factors that may have contributed to their score, and what differences, if any, existed between public and private school teachers. In the qualitative phase, four teachers were interviewed to explore how they perceived the IB in Costa Rica. It also critically analyzed the CAS requirement of the IB, as well as the neoliberal forces that have driven the growth of the IB in Costa Rica. The findings show that the type of school does not affect teachers’ global mindedness. Participants’ age and whether they have lived outside their country had a positive but weak relationship to teachers’ global mindedness. Teachers of STEM courses had slightly lower GMS scores. The interviews showed that teachers had positive perceptions of the IBDP and saw benefits for themselves, their students, and Costa Rica. The teachers were mostly uncritical in their responses, but the highest GMS scoring interviewee did express critical ideas. An analysis of the CAS requirement of the IB concluded that it reflects both soft and critical approaches to global citizenship education. Finally, the document analysis confirmed neoliberalism as a force behind the IB’s expansion in Costa Rica. Several recommendations were offered. First, an instrument is needed that can measure global mindedness on an international scale. Second, teacher education should incorporate issues related to global education. Third, implementation of the IBDP and other global education curricula requires ongoing support from policymakers, organizations, and schools. More research should examine the growth of the IB in other countries. Show less

Hatchling marine turtles use visual cues to orient from their nest to the sea at night. However, the wavelengths of light that carry this information have not been properly documented, nor do we understand why they are favored. I measured wavelength irradiance at 20 nm intervals between 340 – 600 nm at a dark nesting beach and then, in the laboratory, determined the thresholds of the hatchlings for each λ that evoked a positive phototaxis. In this study, I show that green turtle hatchlings... Show moreHatchling marine turtles use visual cues to orient from their nest to the sea at night. However, the wavelengths of light that carry this information have not been properly documented, nor do we understand why they are favored. I measured wavelength irradiance at 20 nm intervals between 340 – 600 nm at a dark nesting beach and then, in the laboratory, determined the thresholds of the hatchlings for each λ that evoked a positive phototaxis. In this study, I show that green turtle hatchlings are (i) most sensitive to the shorter (360 – 480 nm) light wavelengths. Those light energies (ii) dominated the available natural lighting at the nesting beach. They also (iii) presented a steep gradient in irradiance between a landward and seaward view, an important cue for orientation. I attribute the phototactic responses to “stimulus filtering”, the outcome of natural selection that optimizes behavioral responses (seafinding) according to their function, as well as when and where they occur. Show less

The purpose of the current outcome study was to determine the effects of the Ready for Success (RFS) classroom guidance program (Brigman & Webb, 2012) on the social-emotional skills and competence, reading proficiency, and promotion between third-grade students who received the RFS intervention (treatment group; n = 104), and third-grade students who did not receive the intervention (comparison group; n=91). Following training in the manualized RFS curriculum, certified school counselors in... Show moreThe purpose of the current outcome study was to determine the effects of the Ready for Success (RFS) classroom guidance program (Brigman & Webb, 2012) on the social-emotional skills and competence, reading proficiency, and promotion between third-grade students who received the RFS intervention (treatment group; n = 104), and third-grade students who did not receive the intervention (comparison group; n=91). Following training in the manualized RFS curriculum, certified school counselors in the treatment group implemented five, weekly, 30-minute lessons followed by three monthly booster lessons. This study followed a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent group design. The study employed a teacher report measure of social-emotional skills and competence (i.e., Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) and a standardized formative assessment of reading proficiency (i.e., Reading Running Record). Furthermore, retention data was provided by the participating school district’s data source. Statistical significance between the groups was measured by a series of MANCOVA analyses and a Pearson’s chi-square analysis. A partial eta-squared ηp2 effect size was reported for each dependent variable. The data supported the RFS classroom guidance program as an effective Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) intervention for promoting student social-emotional skill development (i.e. selfawareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making) and overall social-emotional competence (SEC). This study provided support for the use of school counselor-led SEL classroom programs to promote the social-emotional development of students in the school setting. Furthermore, the study further supports the value of school counseling interventions for students in the domain of social-emotional development. Finally, the findings of this study provided empirical support for the RFS classroom guidance program as an effective SEL intervention. Show less

For years, black women have endured the mainstream stereotypes of the Mammy, the Jezebel, and the Sapphire. Backtalk is a conversation about black women using their own language translated into a graphic visual language. It examines ways in which black women are active agents in the social scripting of their own identities. Their complexity is visualized using a formal semiotic system based on their individual descriptions. This new visual language allows black women to deconstruct the... Show moreFor years, black women have endured the mainstream stereotypes of the Mammy, the Jezebel, and the Sapphire. Backtalk is a conversation about black women using their own language translated into a graphic visual language. It examines ways in which black women are active agents in the social scripting of their own identities. Their complexity is visualized using a formal semiotic system based on their individual descriptions. This new visual language allows black women to deconstruct the limiting categorizations mainstream culture allows them, freeing participants from category-based expectations. Show less

It is hypothesized that the uncertainty of the Synchrony® model from the rotation of a geometrically asymmetrical single fiducial shall be non-zero during the motion tracking. To validate this hypothesis, the uncertainty was measured for a Synchrony® model built for a respiratory motion phantom oriented at different yaw angles on a Cyberknife® treatment table. A Mini-ball Cube with three cylindrical GoldMark™ (1mmx5mm Au) numbered fiducials was placed inside a respiratory phantom and used for... Show moreIt is hypothesized that the uncertainty of the Synchrony® model from the rotation of a geometrically asymmetrical single fiducial shall be non-zero during the motion tracking. To validate this hypothesis, the uncertainty was measured for a Synchrony® model built for a respiratory motion phantom oriented at different yaw angles on a Cyberknife® treatment table. A Mini-ball Cube with three cylindrical GoldMark™ (1mmx5mm Au) numbered fiducials was placed inside a respiratory phantom and used for all tests. The fiducial with the least artifact interference was selected for the motion tracking. A 2cm periodic, longitudinal, linear motion of the Mini-ball cube was executed and tested for yaw rotational angles, 0° – 90°. The test was repeated over 3 nonconsecutive days. The uncertainty increased with the yaw angle with the most noticeable changes seen between20° and 60° yaw, where uncertainty increased from 23.5% to 57.9%. A similar test was performed using a spherical Gold Anchor™ fiducial. The uncertainties found when using the Gold Anchor™ were statistically lower than those found when using the GoldMark™ fiducial for all angles of rotation. For the first time, it is found that Synchrony® model uncertainty depends on fiducial geometry. In addition, this research has shown that tracking target rotation using a single fiducial can be accomplished with the Synchrony® model uncertainty as it is displayed on the treatment console. The results of this research could lead to decreased acute toxicity effects related to multiple fiducials. Show less

Three studies examined the effects of benevolent sexism and gender on support provision and relationship functioning across multiple contexts. Benevolent sexism refers to sexist attitudes towards women that are seemingly positive, but still stereotypical (Glick & Fiske, 1996). Study 1 examined benevolent sexism and dependency-oriented support in friendships by asking participants how they would respond to either a female or male acquaintance in hypothetical helping scenarios. Study 2 examined... Show moreThree studies examined the effects of benevolent sexism and gender on support provision and relationship functioning across multiple contexts. Benevolent sexism refers to sexist attitudes towards women that are seemingly positive, but still stereotypical (Glick & Fiske, 1996). Study 1 examined benevolent sexism and dependency-oriented support in friendships by asking participants how they would respond to either a female or male acquaintance in hypothetical helping scenarios. Study 2 examined benevolent sexism and secure base support among individuals in heterosexual romantic relationships using an Internet-based survey. Secure base support differs from other forms of support in that it is not provided in order to help someone cope with adversity, but rather involves supporting a partner’s exploration or personal goal pursuit in non-adverse scenarios. Study 3 used behavioral observation to examine benevolent sexism and secure base support among romantic couples participating in a videotaped exploration task. Multiple regression and dyadic analyses were conducted to test for interactions between gender, benevolent sexism, and support provision. In both men and women in Study 1, benevolent sexism was associated with an increased likelihood of providing dependencyoriented help towards others, suggesting that men are not the only ones providing dependency-oriented support to women. However, men were more likely than women to provide dependency-oriented help towards women, regardless of their degree of benevolent sexism. In Studies 2 and 3, there were no significant main effects of benevolent sexism or gender on secure base support. In Study 2, women higher in benevolent sexism reported being more interfering towards their male partner’s goal pursuit, suggesting that benevolent sexism may be harmful to men as well. In Study 3, women reported lower feelings of competence during the exploration task than men. For individuals with partners high in benevolent sexism, gender moderated their feelings of competence. Women with male partners high in benevolent sexism reported lower feelings of competence, whereas men with female partners high in benevolent sexism reported higher feelings of competence. The mixed results suggest that the effects of benevolent sexism on support exchanges may be more complex than current theoretical perspectives imply. Show less